2022 in review: The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO)
The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) celebrated a busy 2022, marked by a hugely successful congress in Miami, and a number of other highlights, including the publication of a position statement on Innovative Bariatric Procedures and Ethics in Bariatric Surgery.
Most notably, IFSO published new guidelines on bariatric surgery, in conjunction with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). The guidelines, published under the title 'Indications for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery', replace the previous 1991 standard and make recommendations on eligibility criteria for bariatric and metabolic surgery.
As part of the proposals, all individuals with a BMI>35 kg/m2 may be considered for surgery, irrespective of the presence of underlying health problems, while those with a BMI>30 may be recommended for surgery in cases of diabetes or for those who have not been able to maintain long-lasting weight loss.
The Guidelines are available to read here
A webinar was held in October to mark the publication of the guidelines, featuring IFSO President, Dr Scott Shikora, and ASMBS President, Dr Teresa LaMasters.
World Obesity Day
IFSO has been a longstanding champion of World Obesity Day and 2022 was no different, with the bariatric organisation hosting an online roundtable event under the #EverybodyNeedsToAct theme.
Organised alongside the World Gastroenterology Organisation, ASMBS and World Obesity, speakers included Prof Lilian Kow (then IFSO president), Prof John Wilding (World Obesity) and Prof Guilherme Macedo (WGO President).
Looking to the future, IFSO will once again be holding its annual congress between 30 August and 1 September 2023.
The congress, in its 26th edition, will be co-hosted by the Italian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery (SICOB) in the city of Naples, and follows this year's successful congress in Miami.
The congress will offer:
- postgraduate courses;
- symposia;
- expert talks;
- discussion panels;
- hands-on skill labs;
- video sessions;
- paper and poster presentations; and
- emerging, endoscopic and new technology sessions.
In his introduction to the congress, SICOB President Luigi Angrisani stated:
'The aim of the congress is to educate on all the bariatric and metabolic surgery topics, as well as to unite across country borders healthcare professionals from different specialties, in our fight against the adiposity epidemic.'
Click here for more information about IFSO NAPOLI 2023
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